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Finger or Toe Trauma (Injury)

Types of Finger/Toe Injuries

Cuts, bruises and scrapes (skinned knuckles): the most common injuries.
Jammed finger or toe.
- The end of a straightened finger or thumb receives a blow (usually from a ball).
- The energy is absorbed by the joints' surfaces and the injury occurs there.
- For jammed fingers, always check carefully that the end of the finger can be fully straightened.
Crushed or smashed fingertip or toe (e.g., from car door or screen door).
- Usually the end of the finger receives a few cuts or a blood blister.
- Occasionally the nail is damaged, but fractures are unusual.
Fingernail injury: if the nailbed is cut, it needs sutures to prevent a permanently deformed fingernail. This is less important for toenails.
Blood clot under the nail (Subungual hematoma)
- Usually caused by a crush injury from a door or a heavy object falling on the finger while it is on a firm surface.
- Many are only mildly painful.
- Some are severely painful and throbbing. These need the pressure released to prevent loss of the fingernail and to relieve the pain.
Fractures or dislocations.